Jess Woodworth will bid for team glory when she takes part in this year’s Prudential RideLondon Youth Grand Prix with the Spalding cycling starlet hoping it will be one step on the way to her dream of a professional career.

The talented 15-year-old has been selected in a squad of ten to represent the East Midlands region at next month’s annual Prudential RideLondon.

The criterium race – over a two kilometre circuit around St James’s Park in central London – forms part of the world’s greatest festival of cycling over the weekend of August 1-2.

Woodworth will take centre stage on the Saturday in the girls’ event, battling against regional teams from around the country to take top honours.

And while the likes of four-time Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins and sprinter Mark Cavendish will be drawing the fans the following day, Woodworth – a rider for Bourne Wheelers – is looking forward to giving the crowds an early treat first up.

“I am incredibly looking forward to the Prudential RideLondon,” said Woodworth, a pupil at Spalding High School.

“I have not been to watch the Prudential RideLondon but I have heard about it and I can’t wait to be a part of it. It will be a brilliant experience.

“It’s great that all the pros will be riding on the route before and after us. It gives you extra inspiration to want to do well.

“The course is really exciting, with all the different landmarks around you.

“I’ve been doing endurance session to prepare myself for the race.

“I know the team really well and hopefully we can put in some good performances. We’ve been in races together and we work together well as a team.”

The Youth Grand Prix is just one of a number of separate events taking place over the weekend with the Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle, Surrey 100, Surrey Classic, Handcycle Classic and 10th Brompton World Championship providing plenty of entertainment.

And one day Woodworth hopes it’s her name proving to be the star attraction.

“I used to swim quite a lot but then I changed to cyclist. I’ve been doing it for two years competitively now,” she added.

“I really enjoy the training and competitive side of things. I don’t mind the hard training, I love the feeling you get when you can achieve something, that makes all the hard work worth it.

“I would quite like to carry on cycling in the future, maybe ride for a team or something. Even if I don’t get to the highest level, I would still like to stay involved in the sport in the future. It’s so much fun.”

Prudential RideLondon takes place on August 1-2. Prudential is proud to support people’s ambitions. Visit www.pru.co.uk